Background: Lost bone in osteoporotic patients increases the risk of fractures and back pain, and decreases quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of teriparatide (TPTD) in osteoporotic patients with vertebral pain.
Methods: A prospective observational study between April 2006 and February 2014 was done with 77 patients treated with teriparatide in the Pain Unit of Hospital Obispo Polanco of Teruel (Spain). Treatment duration was 18 or 24 months. Pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Health-related quality of life was measured using the European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EuroQol-5D) in order to obtain the social tariff (ST). Pre and post-treatment values were collected respectively. A descriptive and regression analysis was done.
Results: Improvement in pain was observed (80%) and in health-related quality of life (65%). The mean VAS improved (from 5.42 to 3.47 points) and the mean health status value too (from 0.36 to 0.58 points). The regression indicated an improvement of VAS in 0.441 for each initial VAS point, and of ST in 0.0528 points for each 0.1 initial ST point. The probability of VAS reduction in 3 points (OR = 2.021) was greater than in 2 points (OR = 1.695).
Conclusions: TPTD reduces pain and improves quality of life of osteoporotic patients. The worse the baseline situation, the more patients' health improved, so it could be used as criteria for therapeutic decisions and health management.